News
The path to Nirvana is openness, honesty and truthfulness
June 24 is Poson Poya Day
Don’t let your mind be crammed with extraneous irrelevancies; concentrate only on what’s absolutely necessary. Shut out everything else as taxing one’s mind with unnecessary external influences lead to mental exhaustion. Therefore, don’t cram your mind with any matter that doesn’t relate or is relevant to your life.
Learn to let it go and be free. This is Dhamma, the noble path. You need to adhere to Dhamma and you need to follow it. Otherwise, you will die one day with the Dhamma you had merely memorized. Let go of what books taught you and what you may have derived from sermons. Search for something that is felt in your heart. That is the truth.
We are used to memorizing what is in books. If memorizing leads to the discovery of the truth, who would realize the truth first? I know everything written in books more than you all. But it does not work that way. You cannot attain Nirvana like that. You need self-realization. Nirvana is within your heart. You need to connect with your heart to express it. You also need to be accurate, straightforward and realistic. That is the path to Nirvana. Now, it’s clear that Nirvana is connected to our lives as a whole. Supatipanna and Ujupatipanna – that’s being straight-forward and practical. However, only the wisest will realize the truth.
You need to move forward on the path. Your status is irrelevant. What I preach is understood by both the rich and poor. Only a sharp intelligence is needed. Wisdom or the intelligence is the only qualification needed to realize the path. During the time of Gauthama Buddha, a wealthy person named Anepindu and princess Vishaka, servants Punna and Rajjumaala all became Sothapanna. Their limitations of wisdom were different. Anyone can understand this as long as it is absorbed without any attachments.
Don’t get attached to anything, not even to this sermon. Just let it go and listen freely. Be straight forward. Tell what you want to tell. Do what you want to do. Scold to the face of someone if there’s a need to do so. Face it without retreating through the back door. Unless you start like this, you cannot reach your destination. The secret to this path is openness, honesty and truthfulness. All these qualities will lead to Nirvana.
Those who tread on this path will never lie, not even for their own comforts. Can you practice these simple qualities? It’s not something impossible. If a person can practice these qualities for three consecutive years, he will become Sothapanna. He should have an open heart which will guide him to the wisdom of Sothapanna. After reaching that status, he need to be more open. Be free. Why? We were born with nothing. It was only after our birth that things kept adding to our lives. Even our parents. Those additions will be removed gradually.
Why are you shattered when they are lost? Because you expected them to be there always. What is the right that you have to think on these lines? If a person is honest and open, he realizes the truth. There are no conditions to be honest, open and truthful.
– Ven. Siri Samanthabadra Thera
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.

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